Search form

Representing the 9th District of Florida

You are here

Soto Statement: The People of Puerto Rico Have Spoken

June 13, 2017

Blog Post

It is time for statehood for Puerto Rico

Congressman Darren Soto said, “The people of Puerto Rico have spoken. By an overwhelming margin, they have voted to become full partners in our great country. They have voted for statehood. I said I would respect – and fight – for their wishes, and that’s exactly what I intend to do. This is now a matter of civil rights and equality. These Americans serve in our military, pay federal taxes, and meet their obligations as citizens, and Congress should respect their wishes.

I specifically sought to be on the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs with jurisdiction over Puerto Rico to be able to support the people’s decision. I was privileged to observe the plebiscite as part of a mission along with my colleague and fellow Subcommittee member Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), the long-serving Congressman. We will be filing a comprehensive, bipartisan report of our observations for the Subcommittee including all viewpoints. It should be noted that the 23% turnout was comparable to the Alaska statehood election, which led to the “Last Frontier” State being admitted to the Union.

In light of the results, I have also asked to join as a co-sponsor of H.R. 260, Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon’s bill to admit Puerto Rico as a state. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to heed the will of the people!”